Two horrors and a heart

Since it is Halliween week, I decided to pick up some new horror movies.

Insidious 3 was one of the films and I need to be reminded when part 4 inevitably comes out that I really don't like this horror franchise.  The first one was pretty good. I didn't like the second one at all, and the third one is just slightly better than 2.  Insidious 3 adds nothing new to the series, but what it does have is more Lin Shaye who is really the best part of the whole series.   If they want to keep going they really need to make her the lead. She,is much more compelling that Dermot Mulroney who is considered the lead of this one.

Then I caught We are Still Here which on the surface doesn't add much to the whole haunted house genre. But a funny thing happened, and I can't get this one out of my head.   The story itself isn't so fresh, but it feels very real because the cast is made up of middle age normal looking actors who you could just as easily spot at the grocery store.  While it is not particularly original, it does deserve a watch for its realistic approach to the genre.


Then I had enough of average horror films, and I needed some heart. I found that with I'll See you in My Dreams.  It's hard to believe that Blythe Danner has never been a lead in a film, but she has definitely earned the chance and she is the best part of this movie.  The movie itself is charming, but has its problem plot points that I won't ruin.  I liked the scenes with her friends.  Danner's character is friends with characters played by June Squibb, Rhea Perlman, and Mary Kay Place, who should be the next incarnation of The Golden Girls.  It's also nice to see Sam Elliot who will still be sexy at any age as well.  I would definitely not be disappointed if Blythe Danner gets an Oscar nomination for this.  It's a lovely performance.

Insidious 3- 5 out of 10
We Are Still Here 6 out of 10
I'll See you in my Dreams 7 out of 10

Actors of the future

In 2009 I saw a performance by a relatively unknown actor that blew me away. The actor was Carey Mulligan and the film was the excellent An Education.  I hoped that based on that performance, Mulligan would have an interest career ahead of her.  So far I have not been disappointed. She has made interesting choices as opposed to popular ones.  She has continued to show quality work in movies like Drive, Never Let me Go, and most notably in Shame with Michael Fassbender.  2015 has been a good year for her.  She is getting good reviews in Suffragette, and earlier this year she starred as a more conflicted Elizabeth Bennet type character in the costume drama Far From the Maddening Crowd.  In this film her character Bathsheba Everdene (she knows it is a terrible name) was not two but three men vying for her attention, but we know in the first five minutes who she should ultimately choose. The audience cheers for the brooding sexy sheep farmer played by Matthias Schoenaerts. With any luck Schoenaerts will be in every movie from now until the end of time.  There is nothing new here, but the leads have great chemistry.  It's charming, entertaining and comfortable.   It's streaming and on DVD now so check it out.

I bring Carey Mulligan up because 2015 has another fairly new performer blowing people away with an amazing performance.  Indie film lovers noticed Brie Larson a couple years ago in Short Term 12 and this summer she charmed larger audiences as Amy Schumer's sister in Traunwreck, but she may have just entered Academy award nominee with a great future ahead of her territory with an excellent performance in the new movie Room.

Room was a popular book a few years ago, and it is a hard book and movie to review without giving too much away.   Basically, it is a story told by a young child, played by Jacob Tremblay in one of the best performances I've seen a child actor ever give, about growing up in a small room with no contact  with anyone except his mother (played by Larson).  If you don't know the story that's as much plot as I am going to give away.  It is a riveting, harrowing and ultimately uplifting film and  Brie Larson will show you why she is one of the most interest actors to watch right now.  It is also great to see Joan Allen back again in a strong supporting performance.  Even if she a Little bit over botoxed these days, she is also an actor who has taken an interesting path and hopefully she will continue to get character roles like this as she gets older.

The subject matter of Room is a little tough, but it would be a shame to miss out on one of the best performances of the year by Brie Larson.  Get ready! This is an actor we will be hearing a lot more from!

Far from the Maddening Crowd 8 out of 10
Room 9 out of 10

If I chose the Emmys-The Winners

Oops I forgot about these! better late than never!

Best Female Actor  (Lead or Supporting) in a TV Movie or Miniseries
Khandi Alexander Bessie
Zoe Kazan Olive Kitteridge
Jessica Lange American Horror Story:Freak Show
Queen Latifah Bessie
Frances McDormand Olive Kitteridge-WINNER
Mo'Nique Bessie
Sarah Paulson American Horror Story: Freak Show

Best Male Actor (Lead or Supporting) in a TV movie or Mini Series
John Gallagher Jr.  Olive Kitteridge
Richard Jenkins Olive Kitteridge
Bill Murray Olive Kitteridge
David Oyelowo Nightingale- WINNER
Cory Michael Smith Olive Kitteridge
Michael Kenneth Williams Bessie
Finn Wittrock American Horror Story: Freak Show

Best TV movie. Or mini series

American Horror Story: Freak Show
Bessie
Nightingale
Olive  Kitteridge-WINNER


Best Reality Television Show
The Next Food Star
Project Runway
Rupaul's Drag Race
Shark Tank
Survivor
Top Chef Boston - WINNER


Best Guest Actress in a Series
Christine Baranski The Big Bang Theory
Kate Burton Scandal-WINNER
Marla Gibbs Scandal
Allison Janney Masters of Sex
Laurie Metcalf The Big Bang Theory
Rita Moreno Jane the Virgin
Julianne Nicholson Masters of Sex
Cicely Tyson Scandal

Best Supporting Actor in a Conedy Series
Tituss Burgess Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt-WINNER
Jaime Camil Jane the Virgin
Adam Driver Girls
Nick Offerman Parks and Recreation
Marcus Scribner blackish

Steve Zissis Togetherness

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Allison Janney Mom
Carol Kane    Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Jenifer Lewis blackish
Melanie Lynskey Togetherness-WINNER
Lauren Weedman Looking
Constance Wu Fresh off the Boat

Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson blackish
Jonathan Groff Looking
Chris Messina The Mindy Project
Jim Parsons The Big Bang Theory
Jeffery Tambor Transparent-WINNER
Josh Thomas Please Like Me

Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Tracee Ellis Ross blackish -WINNER
Mindy Kaling The Mindy Project
Ellie Kemper Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Lisa Kudrow The Comeback
Amy Poehler Parks and Recreation
Gina Rodriguez Jane the Virgin

Best Comedy Series

Blackish
Getting on
Looking
Parks and Recreation
Togetherness
Transparent-WINNER
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Guest Actor in a Series
Christian Borle Masters of Sex
Beau Bridges Masters of Sex
Reg E. Cathey House of Cards
Jon Hamm Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt-WINNER
Paul Rudd Parks and Recreation
Sam Shepard Bloodline
Courtney B. Vance Scandal
Bradley Whitford Transparent

Best Supporting Actress in A Drama Series
Uzo Aduba Orange is the New Black
Annaleigh Ashford Masters of Sex
January Jones Mad Men
Maura Tierney the Affair
Lorraine Toussaint Orange is the New Black-WINNER
Bellamy Young Scandal

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Jim Carter Downton Abbey
Michael Kelly House of Cards
Ben Mendelsohn Bloodline-WINNER
Joe Morton Scandal
Craig T Nelson Parenthood
Jussie Smollett Empire

Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
Kyle Chandler Bloodline
Jon Hamm Mad Men
Freddie Highmore Bates Motel
Peter Krause Parenthood
Kevin Spacey House.of Cards
Dominic West The Affair-WINNER


Best Lead Actress in a Drama
Lizzie Caplan Masters of Sex
Olivia Colman Broadchurch
Viola Davis How to Get Away With Murder
Taraji B. Henson Empire
Ruth Wilson The Affair
Robin Wright House of Cards-WINNER

Best Drama Series
The Affair
Empire
House of Cards
Mad Men
Orange is t he New Black-WINNER

PParenthood
The Walking Dead

Film: Short reviews of films I have recently seen: Goodnight Mommy, About Elly, Mad Max:Fury Road and Unfriended

Goodnight Mommy: This German film doesn't  really feel like a horror movie until the  final third.  It's story about a mother who gets plastic surgery and her children think she's an imposter takes a scary  turn into its last act and its chills are numerous.  Try not to figure out the twist.  I figured it out and it's more fun to not know.   7 out of 10

About Elly: Since The Separation, my favorite film of 2011, Ashghar Farhadi is a director I get excited to see we work. What a treat it was to watch About Elly, an earlier film of his.  While it feels a little soapier than A Separation and The Past.  Farhadi's  trademark of taking small moments and making them compelling human drama is here on display.   I definitely recommend it to view the early work of a filmmaker who I'm convinced will one day be considered a master.   8 out of 10

Mad Max: Fury Road- It is hard to argue that there hasn't been a more beautifully filmed movie than this Mad Max for a long time.  But let's face it, it's really just a movie with a lot of battles and chasing across the desert. As much as I live  Tom Hardy, his Mad Max feels like a supporting character.  The real stars here are Nicholas Hoult and especially Charlize Theron.  5 out of 10

Unfriended: This teen horror movie takes place on a character's computer screen. It is a device that I thought would get old as it did in an episode of Modern Family, but it is done here to great effect and the film is surprisingly suspenseful and interesting.  While it's still teen horror schlock, this cautionary tale about cyber bullying surprised me and definitely could've been much worse.  6 out of 10

Music: Madonna Live- Taking back her Crown

Last night in TD Garden I saw my fourth Madonna concert in her Boston stop of the Rebel Heart Tour.   After seeing her on her Drowned World Tour in 2001, Hard Candy Tour in 2008, and the MDNA tour in 2012, it was do or die for me when it comes to shelling out money to see Madonna perform. She has always charged a lot for her shows but hasn't left me disappointed--until the MDNA tour.   Her age was showing as her dancing became less tight and frankly the music from that album mostly wasn't very good.  After that show, I said no more Madonna concerts.

Then Rebel Heart happens.  Though it is one of her worst selling albums, Rebel Heart is Madonna's best collection of music since Ray of Light in the mid/late 1990s.  So when I saw that she was coming to Boston after some considerable hemming and hawing I decided to go.  But this time I bought cheap seats--relatively speaking.  I was not disappointed.   Madonna has redeemed herself with her music and her live performing.

The set list has always been a tricky thing for Madonna shows.  She, of course, wants to play her new material, but she has a hard time striking a good mix between new and old.  She did it best on the Hard Candy tour, but she is mostly successful on this  tour.  She has eliminated most of the filler tracks on Reb el Heart (except Body Shop) and played mst all the of great tracks on Rebel Heart.  In Boston the only great track excluded was her adult contemporary hit Ghosttown which she alternates with Who's that Girl as an acoustic track. You can't go wrong with either of those, but it made me wish she would just perform both like she did in Brooklyn.  The title track of Rebel Heart was the stand out. I enjoyed most all the rest of the new material (again except Body Shop) including Holy Water which isn't one of my favorite tracks, but the stage arrangement definitely kicked up its game a notch.

As for her old material Madonna goes back on this tour--far.  Minus two  songs, she pretty much ignores everything after the True Blue album through  MDNA. The  set list was sprinkled generously with her hits from the 80s--many of which she usually doesn't sing live too much.   It did my 1980s 15 year old heart good to hear her sing the forementioned Who's that girl, True Blue, and Dress You Up.  But she went back even further to the song that was her first well known music video, Burning Up.   The show ended with Holiday, and I know some disagree, but I think she should end every show with this song.  It never gets old.  It's a perfect concert ending.

Performance wise Madonna is realizing her limitations and that is OK.  She still does plenty of dancing, but she leaves the complicated moves to her dancers.   This gives her more time for singing. There was noticeably less lip syncing on this tour.   It is also to her credit that she allows the dancers to shine without her.   One of the best performance pieces was for Illuminati which is a song that she is totally off stage for making a costume change.

Whatever I gained in a lower ticket price, I lost in merchandise purchases which included two new T  shirts and Madonna men's briefs.  :), but I left a happy guy.  Again live Madonna had been redeemed for me.   I will definitely be back for show number 5.  She didn't disappoint.

Film: The strange worlds of Paul Thomas Anderson.

I finally saw Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice, and I have to admit it was a chore to get through.   I think it is basically an incomprehensible mess, but as the case with everyone of his films there is something worthwhile about it.  While I can declare this my least favorite of his films, I have heard that it is a good adaptation of the book Inherent Vice, and if that is the case that story was pretty unfilmable.  So good on him!  There are also scene stealing  moments from Hong Chau and especially Josh Brolin.  The screenplay has some humorous moments, but it basically links a lot of stories and characters together without much development.  Maybe it is supposed to represent the drug haze that everyone in the films seems to be in.   I give it 5 out of 10.

Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the most interesting filmmakers of our time even with this slight disappointment.  Here are my rankings of his work.  It should be noted that only the bottom 2 scored less than an 8 out of 10 from me.

7. Inherent Vice
6.  Punch-Drunk Love- an interesting detour for Adam Sandler. If only he had continued in that direction.
5.    Hard Eight- It's Anderson's debut.  Honestly until I reviewed the synopsis I kind of forgot I had seen it.  While it is maybe forgettable long term, I enjoyed it in the moment.
4.  Magnolia- the frogs almost did it in for me, but fortunately there is a lot of amazing acting in this film including turns from Julianne Moore, Jason Robards, and even Tom Cruise
3. The Master- One of Joaquin Phoenix's best performances and one of many great Philip Seymour Hoffman performances (which often came from PT Anderson movies).
2.  There Will Be Blood- this is most likely the film that will stand the test of time and has the best chance of becoming a film classic.  Daniel Day Lewis gives an iconic performance

But my favorite is

1. Boogie Nights-  the first time I saw this I wasn't a fan and I especially hated the Sister Christian scene, but something made me revisit it and apparently I just needed to mature a bit.  Boogie Nights is just as much of a classic film as There Will be Blood, but it's story about the world of porn is slightly less palatable.  The casting is spot on. Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds and yes Heather Graham gives career best performances here.  This is where I discovered Don Cheadle, and Julianne Moore and Philip Seymour Hoffman give two of the most complicated and beautiful performances I have seen on film.

Film: Coming out from different views

Anyone who watches gay independent films or especially American gay independent films know that a coming out story is a dime a dozen.  But that's only if the coming out in question is a white middle class Midwestern boy. Those are a dime a dozen.  There are some members of the gay population who do not get their coming out stories shown quite as often.   Two films I watched over the weekend share a different kind of coming out story with some degree of success.

Boulevard tells the coming out story of a 60 year old man played by the late great Robin Williams in his final film role.  His character, named Nolan, comes to a point in his life that he can not go on any longer living a lie.   Many men have sort of a second adolescence when they come out after their teen years.  I came out when a I was 23 and I definitely had a second adolescence that wasn't always such a good thing.  that isn't always a good thing.  Nolan has a bit of a second adolescence himself which causes him to make some choices that could have him lose his job, his wife,--everything. One night Nolan befriends a hustler named Leo, and the film does a nice job showing that even though they gradually get a little closer throughout the film, Leo always still sees Nolan as a way to make money and not much more.

Nolan's meeting with Leo serves as the catalyst that eventually forces Leo to live his truth.  After awhile the male prostitute plot gets a little tired, and the film is best in Robin William's quieter moments of anguish.  His best acting is not in his interaction with the hustler, but also with his long suffering loving wife played excellently by Kathy Baker.  Boulevard is a decent film elevated by what should be regarded as one of Robin Willuam's best performances.

Another population we don't see represented enough in gay movies is black men.  Patrick Ian Polk has made a career of trying to right that wrong with independent films like Punks and TV series like Noah's Arc. He continues to tell gay African American men's stories in Blackbird,  the story of a religious teenage boy named Randy in small town Mississippi.

Blackbird has a lot going well for it.  It does a great job showing a religious teenager coming to terms with his sexuality, then dealing with his parents, and ultimately falling in love.  That would be enough of a movie in itself so it is frustrating that there is so much more.  Too much.  The film is based on a book which I haven't read, so all the other parts may have come from the book.   It ultimately deals with abortion, being clairavoyant, a missing child, STDs, changing a gay person back to straight.  Like I said, It is too much.  It doesn't need all that.  Polk's created a world where Randy dealing with his sexuality, surrounded by his friends and his family (Mo'Nique and Isaiah Washington are best in show as the parents. ) and that should be enough.  All the rest of the sub plots feel unnecessary and at times make the film go over the top into after school special territory.  There is a good film inside Blackbird it just struggles a bit getting passed the other subplots in the film.

Boulevard 7 out of 10
Blackbird 6 out of 10